Dissertation Research: Origin and Diversification of Pseudoscorpions on Granite Outcrops in Southwestern Australia

伪蝎，一个蜘蛛目，至少有3300种，分布在世界各地，但他们仍然研究不足。这项研究旨在探索一种假蝎子Synsphyronus Chamberlin的进化多样性，这种蝎子出现在澳大利亚和新西兰。该项目旨在1）评估澳大利亚西南部Synsphyronus的多样性和进化关系，该群体在花岗岩露头形成的栖息地岛屿上多样化，2）了解Synsphyronus露头特有种的进化起源。将使用DNA序列推断种群之间的关系。还将用扫描电子显微镜检查标本，以寻找可区分的形态特征。生物群落面临的一个关键问题是描述公认的全球生物多样性热点的生物群，同时面临分类学家数量的减少，特别是在不太知名的群体，如假蝎子。澳大利亚西南部是公认的全球生物多样性热点，虽然其丰富的植物区系是众所周知的，但其无脊椎动物群的记录落后。该项目将通过与澳大利亚的一位伪蝎分类学家建立国际伙伴关系，加强研究基础设施。一名研究生将接受她的合作者的分类学培训，他们将一起描述通过她的实地考察发现的多达六个新物种。

Pseudoscorpions, an arachnid order with at least 3300 species, are distributed worldwide yet they remain understudied. This grant explores the evolutionary diversification of one genus of pseudoscorpions, Synsphyronus Chamberlin, which occurs in Australia and New Zealand. This project aims to 1) assess the diversity and evolutionary relationships of Synsphyronus in southwestern Australia, where the group has diversified on habitat islands formed by granite outcrops and 2) to understand the evolutionary origins of the outcrop-endemic species of Synsphyronus. Relationships among populations will be inferred using DNA sequences. Specimens will also be examined with scanning electronic microscopy to search for distinguishing morphological traits. The resulting phylogeny will be used to test hypotheses about outcrop colonization events and character evolution.A critical issue facing the biological community is to describe the biota of recognized global biodiversity hotspots, while facing a decline in the number of taxonomists, particularly in lesser-known groups such as pseudoscorpions. Southwestern Australia is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot and while its floristic richness is well known, documentation of its invertebrate fauna lags behind. This project will enhance the infrastructure for research through an international partnership with a pseudoscorpion taxonomist in Australia. A graduate student will be trained in taxonomy by her collaborator and together they will describe up to six new species that have been discovered through her fieldwork.